iOS 8 makes kill switch a default option

You know the Activation Lock feature Apple introduced in iOS 7? Now, it’s enabled by default in iOS 8. Activation Lock is Apple’s version of the kill switch. It means you can lock and secure your iPhone remotely if it gets stolen, meaning you turn it into a brick so no one else but you or those who have the password can unlock it. Users are the only one who can enable the kill switch. Mobile carriers, Apple, and law enforcement agencies don’t have access to the system so it guarantees as much security as it can. Of course, you can opt out of this as well. But with smartphone theft pretty rampant, what’s an extra layer of support?

Source: PCWorld

BlackBerry debuts new masculine Porsche Design smartphone

The BlackBerry and Porsche Design collaboration have created some pretty manly, serious business phones in the past. The new P’9983 is no exception to that. It seems to thwart the smooth curves of the current crop of smartphones and goes for angular and somewhat brutish approach. Basically, it looks like it means business. It features the classic BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard, BBM capabilities, BlackBerry Priority Hub, and access to BlackBerry World. And if you’re in it for the bragging rights you get, you also get a unique BBM PIN exclusive for Porsche Design range.

BlackBerry plans on including premium stereo headset, international charging kit (for all those trips we are sure you will go on), polishing cloth, and USB cable with the P’9983. There will also be handcrafted leather backdoors available later on to let you customize your smartphone a bit. It will available at Porsche Design stores and select carriers and retailers starting next month. They haven’t mentioned the price for the device yet but expect to pay a lot for this.

Source: BlackBerry

Swaive debuts smart ear thermometer

With the wave of wearable technology coming in, it doesn’t come as a surprise that even our medical equipment are getting smarter, too. Swaive has created a smart ear thermometer. The Swaive Thermometer communicates with your iPhone and iPad through an app to check on your family members’ vitals, even remotely. The data can even be used when consulting with healthcare professionals. It will show you a time stamp for each temperature reading to chart the progress of the illness. The Swaive Thermometer will also sync with the new Apple Health app. It is up for pre-order on their site and will retail for US$79.99.

Source: Swaive

SwiftKey is now available on iOS 8

One of the most anticipated features of iOS is the ability to replace Apple's stock keyboard with any of the available third party keyboards. SwiftKey, one of our favourite features on Android is now available as a download for iOS 8 and while the SwiftKey app may not initially appear in the App Store, you can get it via a direct link here. SwiftKey allows you to swipe instead of type and it your vocabulary and can predict your next word, it's pretty awesome stuff.